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So, I'm pretty new to motorcycles, and my '01 V-Star 650 is my first bike.

I started it up this morning and forgot to turn on the fuel valve so after 20 seconds or so, it died. I realized what I did, and turned the valve on and tried to restart it. The problem is it wouldn't start. There's just a quick clicking sound and/or a hum/buzz around the battery area. I tried push starting it, getting it around 15mph downhill and putting it into 2nd and slowly letting out the clutch, but no luck. The lights still come on, horn still seems normal, so I don't know if the battery is the problem or what.

I'm wondering what I should be looking to do for the easiest fix. I don't have much in the way of tools or experience for working on the bike.

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I'd say it's a coincidence and I'd bet you a soda it's a weak battery. Throw it on the battery tender for the night and give it another try tomorrow morning. Depending on your battery charger features, it may tell you you have a dead cell and the time has come to go buy a new one. If it's an '01 and it's the original battery or even the 2nd battery, it's due.

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I really appreciate it. I was thinking about picking up a charger, but they were about $40, and a new battery is only $60. I figure for the price difference, I'll just assume the battery needs to be replaced and pickup a new one.

+1 - make sure it's a trickle charger that will automatically top off the battery as needed during storage. "Battery Tender" is sort of the big one and they do work as advertised. By using a charger during storage you will extend the life of the battery.
My vote is for a dead battery as well.

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I really appreciate it. I was thinking about picking up a charger, but they were about $40, and a new battery is only $60. I figure for the price difference, I'll just assume the battery needs to be replaced and pickup a new one.

Yeah, but the new battery you pick up might need to be charged and then you're buying both anyway. Buy the charger and charge your existing battery first. Worse that happens is you buy both and you'll need the charger in the future when the bike is put away.

Banned

Some good advice given here.
During the summer my tender collects dust because I'm riding almost everyday keeping the battery fully charged.
Now at this time of the year I may ride it pnce or twice per week. I will be using the tender now thru winter and early spring.

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A new battery is always a good thing in a 9yr old bike. For less than 10$ you can get a tender at Harbor freight. I gave 7.50 for one and will maintain two bikes with it. In OKLA. we can have deep snow and ice, but also have a lot of nice days for riding in the WINTER

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You had the right idea about push starting. It would have charged up your battery if you took it for a long enough ride after that. Problem was, you sucked up all the fuel, so there was no way of starting it since the bowl(s) weren't full. I would invest in a charger, and not a new battery, unless you were experiencing battery problems prior. If you use your bike for just short trips, it's good to give it a boost about once a month.
Question for you...why did you have the fuel valve in the off position in the first place. Did you just take the bike out of storage? No need to ever flip that valve unless you're doing work on the fuel system, or putting the bike in storage.

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All of the above and I would also check your battery connections. If you can move the battery cables in any way at the battery, they need to be tightened. I had that prob and a loose connection foils the battery tender eventually. Good luck

I am new to the forum but I have a question. I have a V star 650 that is running on one cylinder. The front cylinder seems not to be firing at all. And it is back firing through the carburetor. What could causing the issues?

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